A SIGN: THE BABE WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, LYING IN A MANGERAnd this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.Luke 2:12December 9, 2012Rev. David B. HansonDeaf Liberty Baptist ChurchOverland Park, Kansas

Luke 2:8-12

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 2:8-12

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 2:8-12

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:8-12

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:8-12

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Bethlehem’s Population at Jesus’ Time 1,435 people 13th largest village in

Palestine 25,000 people today

Swaddling Clothes

What were swaddling clothes? It was a common belief of the

day that in order for a newborn infant's arms and legs to grow straight and strong they needed to be tightly wrapped at birth.

Swaddling Clothes

What were swaddling clothes?

Babies were wrapped from their shoulders to their feet with long strips of cloth 4-5 inches wide and 15-20 feet long.

Swaddling Clothes

What were swaddling clothes?

The act of wrapping the child up so tightly and completely was called "swaddling"; and the strips of cloth were called "swaddling clothes".

Swaddling Clothes

Swaddling Clothes

Why Was Jesus Wrapped In Swaddling Clothes?

Whenever a son of a king, a prince, was born, that child was "salted" and "swaddled”.

Why Was Jesus Wrapped In Swaddling Clothes? To salt a child meant that

soon after birth the newborn babe was gently washed with water having a portion of salt in it. Salt symbolized the qualities of truth and honesty.

Why Was Jesus Wrapped In Swaddling Clothes? According to the customs of

the time, Mary and Joseph washed Jesus in salt water before they swaddled Him, indicating that He was of royal lineage, as God's Son and as Heir to the throne of David.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Luke 2:15-16

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Luke 2:15-16

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.